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2005 FAMU Lawyer Volume 2, Issue 2 FAMU College of Law

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Recommended Citation FAMU College of Law, "FAMU Lawyer Volume 2, Issue 2" (2005). FAMU Lawyer. Book 3. http://commons.law.famu.edu/lawyernewsletter/3

This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the FAMU College of Law History at Scholarly Commons @ FAMU Law. It has been accepted for inclusion in FAMU Lawyer by an authorized administrator of Scholarly Commons @ FAMU Law. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Volume 2, Issue 2 Excellence with Caring Winter 2005 Inside this issue: From the Dean’s Desk Having closed out another employment in the legal staff and calendar year at the FAMU arena. students at Faculty Profile College of Law, we reflect on The summer was the FAMU a busy and productive season highlighted by our granting of College Alumni Spotlight marked by milestones. provisional accreditation by of Law, We began the calendar year the American Bar Association. I want to Accreditation by launching our Academic During the fall, we enrolled thank you Success program, which helps our largest entering class to for your Celebration Dean Percy R. Luney, Jr. our students hone their skills date, 113 students. continued in preparation for the All of these achievements support of our effort to provide upcoming bar exam. were realized because a quality legal education to In the spring, dozens countless friends, alumni and our students. of our students secured other supporters of the College clerkships, internships and of Law reached out to help. other meaningful summer On behalf of the faculty, Clinical Programs Take Shape Creating One FAMU The FAMU College of Law class of 2005 in September. process. is well on its way to making The students are using their Ka’Juel Washington, 3L, the clinical program integral to new status as CLIs to provide made history this fall as the the legal education and skills legal services for indigent first College of Law student training provided to students clients while under the to complete a full trial in the while providing a critical supervision of a licensed clinical program. Washington service to the Central attorney (both defending and did an externship with the community. prosecuting). Office of the Public Defender, The FAMU College of Law Students who received the Orange and Osceola Counties, clinical program opened in the CLI certification are working 9th Judicial Circuit, for his College of Law fall and provides legal services in the State Attorney, Public clinical experience. In October Contacts to indigent clients in the Orlando Defender and Housing clinics. he did a full D.U.I. trial from area. Law students who have Students in the Bankruptcy voir dire (selecting a jury) to Admissions 407.254.3268 completed the requisite number Clinic were approved by the closing arguments. The trial Career Planning 407.254.3212 of credit hours, generally third U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the resulted in a hung jury and his & Placement year students, may assume some Middle District of Florida to client left the courtroom a free Development 407.254.3210 of the powers and authority of practice as CLIs. The faculty man. The State has the option & Alumni Affairs attorneys when enrolled in a team responsible for the clinics of re-charging the client. Law Library 407.254.3263 law school clinical program. and the certification processes Beginning in the fall of Prior to assuming the are: Phyllis Smith, Hastings 2005, when the permanent responsibilities of an attorney, Jones, Karin Moore, Nicky campus is complete, students students must apply to and Boothe-Perry, Eang Ngov, and attorneys will work out of be approved by the Florida Jennifer Smith, Brad Saxton, the FAMU law clinic’s offices. Supreme Court as Certified Douglas Neway and John The offices are part of the state- Legal Interns (CLIs). The Paul Jones. The local legal of-the-art building and will be Florida Supreme Court granted community also supported set up to operate as a small law CLI status to students in the the clinic and the certification firm. 2 FAMU Lawyer Volume 2, Issue 2 Faculty Profile: Professor Lundy Langston Professor Lundy degree. Touro Law School in Long In addition to Domestic Langston is a member of Prof. Langston came to Island, New York, and at her Violence and Cyber Law, the Founding Faculty at FAMU College of Law from alma mater, NCCU School Prof. Langston’s other areas FAMU College of Nova Southeastern of Law. of teaching interest include Law. She received University Shepard Throughout her teach- Bioethics, Criminal Law, her Juris Doctor- Broad Law Center ing career, Prof. Langston International Criminal Law, ate (J.D.) degree, in Ft. Lauderdale, has given talks in the inter- Juvenile Law, Family Law, with honors, from Florida. While on national arena as well as do- Criminal Procedure, Race North Carolina the faculty at Nova, mestically. She participated and the Law, Women and Central University Professor Langs- in a program in Ghana, West the Law, and Jurisprudence. (NCCU) School ton taught the first, Africa, as part of the Black Prof. Langston co-authored a of Law where she regular semester, Studies Scholars Institute, textbook entitled Torts: Con- also received her ABA approved, cy- sponsored by the Ford Foun- temporary Cases, Comments Bachelor’s degree. Prof. Lundy Langston ber course with no dation and the National and Problems. Her scholarly While a law student in class sessions. Council for Black Studies. articles have been published at NCCU, Professor Langs- She was honored by a stu- She presented talks at the in noted journals and law ton was Editor-in-Chief dent-voted election for her University of Malaga Law reviews such as the Miami of the Law Review and a to serve as faculty speaker School in Malaga, Spain and International and Compara- member of the Moot Court at the law school graduation taught a mock United States tive Law Journal, American Board. Upon graduating ceremony. Prof. Langston law class at the University University Law School In- from NCCU School of Law, was instrumental in adding of Beijing in Beijing, China. ternational Law Review, Co- Prof. Langston clerked at a Domestic Violence work- Domestically, Prof. Langs- lumbia’s Gender and the Law the North Carolina Supreme shop to the Nova curricu- ton has conducted presenta- Journal, Wisconsin Women’s Court for the Honorable lum. In addition to teaching tions at various law schools Law Journal, and Cardoza’s Justice Henry E. Frye. After at Nova, Prof. Langston also throughout the country, in- Women’s Law Journal. She completing her clerkship, taught at Tulsa College of cluding Columbia University also published in an interna- Prof. Langston attended Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in Law School, The University tional journal for the Univer- Columbia University Law CLEO (a federally program of Michigan Law School, sity of Malaga Law School School where she received that provides financial as- Duke Law School, and How- in Malaga Spain. her Masters in Law (LL.M.) sistance to law students) at ard University Law School. Faculty Scholarship & Activities Dean Percy R. Luney, Jr. is Friends and Assistant Professor panic and Caribbean commu- dents interviewed were Marcia a member of a recently formed James Smith, III. Other panel- nity in Central Florida. McMahon and Tony Covington. Blue Ribbon Panel on Educa- ists who spoke during the series Associate Professor Na- Professor Langston also taught tion for Orange County Public included professors from the thaniel Friends spoke at a an L.L. M. course in intercul- Schools. The panel’s mission is University of Central Florida training session for Community tural human rights at the St. to develop recommendations for and the Barry University School Legal Services of Mid-Florida, Thomas University School of improved student performance. of Law. Inc. The session focused on Law on Oct. 22 and 23. Thirty- Dean Luney is co-chair of the Assistant Professor James “How to do an administrative five students representing 23 panel’s committee on education Smith, III and Desiree San- hearing” and Prof. Friends made countries attended the class. She management. He also served as chez, director of academic suc- a one-hour presentation explain- has been appointed to the Com- a panelist for a panel titled “Can cess programs, both passed the ing administrative hearings and munity Leadership Council for Ethics & Business Coexist in Florida Bar Examination. Prof. the importance of preserving is- the Howard Phillips Center for Bottom Line Times?” The panel Smith was previously admit- sues for appeal. Children & Families. She will was sponsored by the Univer- ted to the South Carolina Bar Assistant Professor Phyllis act as an advisor to the Orlando sity of Central Florida and the and Sanchez is a member of the Smith was featured in National Regional Healthcare Foundation Orlando Business Journal. New York Bar. Jurist magazine in an item titled and provide philanthropic sup- Professor Barbara Bernier Assistant Professor Regi- “Attorney Q&A: Advice from a port of causes and programs. directed the college’s Law in nald Mombrun has been in- new professor.” America series for the fall. The vited to serve on the board of Professor Lundy Langston Professor Joan Bullock series of discussions, open to directors for the Center for Mul- and two of her students were moderated a panel of women the public, dealt with same-sex ticultural Wellness and Preven- featured in a series of stories judges for an event sponsored marriage, military tribunals, and tion. The organization develops about domestic violence issues by the FAMU Women’s Law voting rights. FAMU professors programs to address health dis- on Central Florida Diversity: Caucus and the Central Florida who served as panelists were parities and quality of life issues The People’s Journal, an Or- Association of Women Lawyers Associate Professor Nathaniel for the African American, His- lando television show. The stu- (CFAWL). Volume 2, Issue 2 FAMU Lawyer 3 Alumni Spotlight: Isiah Williams, III By Nicole Hester Williams mother and raised by his aunt (whom he’d Spires Staff Writer always considered his mother) and uncle. He returned to Jacksonville, where The Jacksonville Advocate Newspaper After his uncle was killed in he dabbled in cable television before the an industrial accident when industry took off. Williams later accepted Isiah Williams – publisher he was 13, his aunt sent a position at Florida Community College of The Jacksonville Advocate him to Feseden Academy, as a history professor. and president of the a private boarding middle Soon, friends and colleagues Jacksonville chapter of The school. Williams excelled convinced him to mark and record more Association for the Study of at Feseden, developing an African-American history by starting a African American Life and appreciation for reading and newspaper. He went to Miami and met History – could be called a history. with Garth Reeves, then publisher of the walking anthology of African- Among the notables who Miami Times. American history. attended Feseden are Donald After soaking in as much knowledge Not only has he taught the Isiah Williams III Jones, dean of Florida Coastal as he could in one day, Williams embarked subject at the college level, but Williams School of Law, and Alcee Hastings, the on the challenge of providing an has lived a noteworthy life of his own. U.S. Congressman and fellow FAMU alternative publication to Jacksonville’s A 1963 graduate of the FAMU classmate. African-American community. Now, 28 College of Law, Williams said he and After completing Feseden, Williams years later, the Jacksonville Advocate his five classmates had far from an easy returned to Jacksonville, finished high thrives. ride. school, and enlisted in the Army, serving “It was rough in our class,” Williams a two-year stint. He later returned home, said. “They expected a lot out of us.” and accepted a position at the Jacksonville However, he believes the rigor of the Terminal. program may explain why he passed New While working at the terminal, a York’s Bar Exam the first time around. friend of his, Christopher Brewington, “I remember when I first arrived in Mark Your Calendar for came into town. Brewington, on his way New York, I went to this well-known bar These Upcoming Events to Xavier University for pharmacy, took called the Red Rooster, and I met this Saturday, April 9, 2005: an active interest in his friend’s education fellow,” he said. “He introduced me to so Third Annual Percy R. Luney, Jr. – escorting Williams to Edward Waters many influential people that first night.” Spirit of Service Awards College. As a result of that meeting, Williams 6 p.m. at the Varsity Club at Florida “If it hadn’t been for him, I may not Citrus Bowl said he soon found himself intermingling have ever gone to college.” Sponsored by the Jesse J. McCrary with Harlem’s socially elite, including Chapter of the Black Law Students Williams received his associate of Malcolm X and Adam Clayton Powell. Association, the event highlights arts degree from Edward Waters, and his He served as an attorney for the Black superior service exemplified by College bachelor’s degree from Florida Memorial of Law students, faculty and staff. Panthers; engaged in intellectual dialogue College. with Langston Hughes; and accepted Saturday, April 30, 2005: University “I didn’t want to go to law school. a position at one of New York’s top law Commencement One of my classmates was going, so he College of Law graduating students firms. encouraged me to go,” Williams said. will join other FAMU students in “Ike was one of the pall bearers at the university-wide commencement “The next thing I knew, I was at Florida Malcolm X’s funeral, in fact he’s in exercises in Tallahassee. (Location and A&M in law school.” the picture that ran on the front page time TBD) After graduating, Williams moved to of the ‘New York Times’,” said Marilyn Saturday, May 7, 2005: Law School NewYork, where he worked as an attorney Wilkerson Williams, Isiah’s wife and co- Commencement while pursuing a master’s degree in Legal publisher of the newspaper. Third-year students will take part in Studies from the Brooklyn School of the reestablished College of Law’s first Born in Jacksonville, Florida, Law. He later accepted a position with his commencement program in Orlando. Williams was given up by his young long time friend, and now Judge, Mark (Location and time TBD) 4 FAMU Lawyer Volume 2, Issue 2 Scenes from the College of Law

Photo by Charles Hodges Photo by Charles Hodges Dean Luney joined State Representative Arthenia Joyner and former Ambassador Harriet L. Elam-Thomas, Pat Christiansen, Bev- ABA President Dennis Archer prior to Archer giving the keynote erly Marshall-Luney and attended the address at the Celebration for Provisional Accreditation. reception and dinner to celebrate provisional accreditation with key- note speaker Dennis Archer in November.

Photo by Eric Jams Elizabeth Gomez-Mayo (1L) and Student Bar Association President Photo by Rolland Desmarais Carlos Woody (3L) stood outside the original College of Law after Dean Luney addressed the crowd at the topping out ceremony for the touring the FAMU main campus in Tallahassee. Students, faculty, staff, permanent campus. With him were (l to r) Vernice Atkins-Bradley of alumni and friends traveled to Tallahassee to join other College of Law Turner Construction, Orlando City Commissioner Daisy W. Lynum, supporters to celebrate provisional accreditation and view exhibits of Shawnda Anderson, PSA Constructors, Inc., and Scott Skidelsky, Turn- the law school’s history. er Construction Florida.

Photo by Rolland Desmarais Photo by Rolland Desmarais Professor Lundy Langston (l) and Karla Davis, director of The beam, signed by the construction crews, faculty and staff, admissions, signed a beam which was placed on the permanent was placed on the permanent campus in November. The law campus at the topping out ceremony in November. school campus is scheduled to open in the fall of 2005. Volume 2, Issue 2 FAMU Lawyer 5 Student Activities

Photo by Rolland Desmarais Photo by Rolland Desmarais Michele Velazquez, 2L, Tonya Minick, 3L, and Japonica Jackson, U.S. Senator Bob Graham greeted Benjamin Sharpe (2L) 2L, chatted during a reception hosted by the FAMU Women’s Law while autographing copies of his book “Intelligence Matters.” Caucus and the Central Florida Association of Women Lawyers. The Graham participated in “The War in Iraq: Defining Democracy, reception preceded a panel discussion with local women judges. A Panel Discussion.” along with State Senator , State Representative David Simmons, State Representative Bruce Antone, State Representative Sandra Adams, and Taleb Salhab, Executive Board Member of the Arab-American Leadership Council. Scholarship Awards The firstHolly Marie Stutz Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Marivette Powell (1L). The $1,000 renewable scholarship recognizes part-time students with outstanding academic qualifications and a commitment to public service law. Thanks to a generous contribution from the Stutz family, the scholarship honors Holly Marie Stutz, a member of the 2002 Inaugural Class and active participant in the Part-Time Evening Program who passed away in December 2002.

In recognition of their academic achievements and community service, the following first-year students each received$2,000 scholarships from the University Club of Orlando: Samuel Irizarry; Dana Paige; Sylvester Polk; Cheo Reid; and Photo by Julian Thompson Abdelrahman Zeini. Marivette Powell accepts the Holly Marie Stutz Memorial The Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association Scholarship award from Dean Luney. (BESLA) awarded a $1,000 scholarship to Tianekquia Gibbs (3L). BESLA honors students with high academic achievement and an interest in entertainment or sports law.

Jacinta Williams (2L) was awarded the 2004 Belle Cummins Memorial Scholarship by the Association of Administrative Law Judges. The $1,000 award recognizes students with outstanding academic performance and an interest in public service law. It is named after the late Belle Cummins, a Congressional staff member, lobbyist, lawyer for legal services and advocate for women’s issues.

Carlos Woody (3L) was awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers for outstanding academic performance in the family law class.

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A Special Thank You Our Celebration of Provisional Accreditation, an event featuring Dennis W. Archer, former president of the American Bar Association as the guest speaker, was a huge success. We’d like to thank the following sponsors, and many of you, for supporting this special occasion: Sponsors Maher, Guiley and Maher Shirley A. Cunningham, Jr., Attorney at Law Table Sponsors Association of Corporate Counsel - Central Florida Chapter BellSouth Broussard, Cullen, DeGailler & Eagen, P.A. Darden Restaurants Embassy Suites Orlando Downtown Ford & Harrison, LLP GrayRobinson, P.A. Hughes Supply Mosley & Mosley and Associates Paul C. Perkins Bar Association Universal Studios Orlando Walt Disney Company Urban Affairs Walt Disney World Resorts Community Relations Zimmerman, Kiser & Sutcliffe, P.A.